In 1953 Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay accomplished what many people thought impossible — they scaled Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth. Besides all of the things that would keep me from trying an Iditarod run, climbing Everest also involves avalanches, lack of oxygen, falls from peaks, and instant death. Add to that the fact that I get altitude sickness on a stepladder and don’t like standing in line. Although the climb gets safer…The Poodle (and Dog) Blog

In our beginning-of-year reader survey back in January, many of you commented that you’d like to see more “Essley posts.” And last week, I received two separate emails from readers asking why I don’t post about her more. So I wanted to explain a little about why those type of posts continue to be so few and far between.

Essley is, without a doubt, the most important thing in my life and the area where the vast majority of my time and energy is focused. Because of this, I think about posting about her pretty much everyday – but I’m consistently torn between a desire to share (because I just love her so freaking much) and a desire to vehemently protect her life from the internet. I’ve talked in the past about lessons learned regarding just how how easy (and common) it is for photos of people’s children to be used by others online, often in ways that can be unfavorable. And as she’s grown, I’ve definitely become more guarded about sharing too much. That said, you guys are more than my readers – you’re also friends. I’m proud of my little bean and I do want to be able to share occasional bits and piece, both here and over here. It important to me for Bubby and Bean to be genuine, and even though I don’t post a ton of personal content on this blog – especially when it comes to my daughter – I don’t want it just read like a magazine without a face or real life behind it. I think the key is creating a healthy (and cautious) balance.

Thank you guys for understanding. And thank you for letting me share from time to time as well. The photos above are some of my recent favorite shots of my sweet Essley Morgan, who is growing into a little lady faster than I keep up. These are all just quick pictures I’ve captured on my phone over the last few weeks on our adventures. We have so much fun together, and she is my #1 inspiration behind just about everything I do. I couldn’t possibly love her more.

The app PocketSuite has recently been added to listing of each pet sitting business. The latest update is that pet sitters can now accept Apple Pay from an iPhone 6 client. The official statement is below:

Apple Payfor Dog Trainers

PocketSuiteis the quickest and most affordable way for you to get paid for the services you offer.

And now PocketSuite has teamed up withApple Payto give your clients the most secure and convenient way to pay you. Using PocketSuite, your customers can now pay any invoice and confirm any job with Apple Pay!

Prepare your skin with aromatherapy before Holi
… in 250 ml water in an aluminium or glass spray bottle and shake well. Spray on your face and other body parts at least twice a day. This will help you immensely to prevent any skin allergies erupting on application of Holi colours," Arora said in a …Read more on Times of India

Cat, Dust Mite Allergies Linked to Childhood Asthma – WebMD
General risk factors for developing asthma include a parental history of asthma, wheezing induced by viral illness, and the skin condition eczema, according to Tan. She suggested that based on the findings, allergies to cats and dust mites may also be …Read more on WebMD

Life is weird in lots of way. Things happen for a reason, and you have to kind of be open to what life’s going to throw at you because you certainly aren’t going to expect most of it. Even the good stuff. Especially the good stuff, which is often hidden in bad stuff.

When I go to a house for a euthanasia, people invariably say one of two things:

1. This must be so hard.

2. I wish we had this for people.

The answer to both is “I agree.” The interesting part is that they co-exist.

Lots of things we deal with in life are rotten: losing an eyeball, I imagine, would be hard. Crawling through the Amazonian rainforest naked and afraid with no water. Chaperoning a group of fifth graders on an overnight field trip on a boat you can’t escape from. All of them hard, and none of them leading me to say, “gee, I wish I could replicate this experience for my family and loved ones.”

Death is hard. It can also, in certain circumstances, be good. Not always. Sometimes deaths are horrible and tragic and cruel, and when we see that we fear it, and forget that many times it can also be meaningful and loving and bittersweet. We need to cherish those experiences to give us the strength for the times it is not. We need to learn that we can talk about it and lean on each other and be there, really be there, in every way we can.

This is what I do as a hospice vet, and while it is very true that this is in my opinion the best way for a pet to experience death, I have found the ones who benefit the most from the experience are the people, not only for their pet but for their whole idea of what death is about.

Pets don’t know what death is or that it is coming. The fear they exhibit in the clinic euthanasia appointment is fear of the clinic thermometer, because when I go into a home to euthanize a pet I cannot tell you how many very ill pets look up, give me a wag and a lick, and in essence signal to their families that they are ready. It’s quite stunning to see.

When I submitted a talk for Ignite San Diego titled “I’m the Angel of Death, Now Gimme Your Kids” I think I freaked out a good 95% of the attending audience who had no idea who I was or why I wanted to steal their dumplings. By the end, though, I think they all realized that no, really- it’s a good thing to learn to move forward without fear. Pets teach us so much, from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave us. Yes, even then, if we are open to seeing it.

If you want to hear me sum it up in 5 minutes on the nose, here’s the link:

The magic of snow fleas
Snow fleas in the heel portion of a boot print. Photo by Jerry McCormick. What is a snow flea? Turns out, that is an interesting question. They are not true fleas, that much is certain. And, over the years biologists have argued whether or not they are …Read more on Hometown Focus

Hunterdon County-author-pens-book-on-flea-markets
Luftglass said the inspiration for his new book was his shopping experiences at flea markets. He said he would research destinations online but sometimes the websites lacked certain details he hoped to learn. "One day it dawned on me, why not write a …Read more on MyCentralJersey.com

Dog Doesn't Like Boyfriend, Cat Attacks, and Flea Fiesta: Your Pet Questions
Q: My Chihuahua growls constantly at my boyfriend, even snapping at times. My boyfriend does give him treats, or tries to, but the dog is scared. My dog seems to respond this way to all males. How can I get him to stop? — N.S., via cyberspace. A: "Put …Read more on ChicagoNow (blog)

The FDA has released a pet food recall for 6″ Beef Trachea Pet Treats. You can find the official report below and here.

Contact:Consumer:(305) 591-3338

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE— February 11, 2015 — Pet International of Miami, Florida is recalling 1500 units of 6” Beef Trachea Pet Treat because it has the potential to be contaminated withSalmonella.Salmonellacan affect animals (i.e. dogs) eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected withSalmonellashould monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely,Salmonellacan result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Dogs withSalmonellainfections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets (i.e. dogs) will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your dog has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The 6” Beef Trachea Pet Treat was distributed to retail stores in the following Cities: Conifer, and Lakewood in Colorado.

If you have this product, use gloves and put in a double bag and throw it away as soon as possible. Do not touch the product in any way, and if you do, it’s recommended you must wash your hands immediately with an antibacterial soap.

The potentially affected product will pertain to a particular lot number, and are specific to a particular size of the pouch it’s sold in. Anyone having these products should verify the following:

No illnesses have been reported to date. We are still warning consumers that if any of the above information is on the package you have, do not feed it to any animals at all. It may be hazardous and should be disposed of immediately.

The recall was as the result of a routine sampling program by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and analyzed by FDA, obtained from Buster’s Natural Pet Supply in Conifer, CO. and found to be positive forSalmonella. The product sampled had a Buster’s Label on it, but was manufactured by Pet International. Buster’s Natural Pet Supply recalled the entire product from the two stores that the distributor sells it. The Pet International Inc. continues their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Consumers who have purchased 6” Beef Trachea with Buster’s Natural Pet Supply Label on it and are wishing to be refunded because of the recall, can take the product back to where bought it from, with receipt. A special form will be provided to be filled out as well. Both the form and the receipt are needed for the refund.

Consumers with any questions about the recall product may contact the company at by phone at (305) 591-3338 Monday through Friday 9:00am too 5:00pm EST or via e-mail atsergioh@petint.com.

It’s been a while since there has been a featured pet sitter or business on PetsitUSA. We would like to post an interview from pet sitters that has been in the business for years and thinks they could provide helpful information to other pet sitters, especially ones who are just getting started. If you are interested, send an email to PetsitUSA! The interview will be posted on this blog and a link to it will be posted on PetsitUSA’a social media outlets.